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The context here is that a recruiter calls you and says, "Y Combinator is looking for an Arc programmer to work on new versions of the language as well as maint
by raganwald 16y ago
The context here is that a recruiter calls you and says, "Y Combinator is looking for an Arc programmer to work on new versions of the language as well as maintain the HN site. Please give me your resumé and your current salary."
You say, "Here's my resumé." The recruiter demands the salary, saying that Paul won't interview anyone without it. My first advice is that you can just say no. The sun will still shine, you'll find work elsewhere that you enjoy.
But if you really, really want to interview for the Arc job, the thesis of this post is that giving the range is better than giving the salary at your current job.
If the recruiter then tries to jam you into a job paying Ramen noodles because five years ago that's what you were making working for a startup... I agree that's annoying. Only you can decide whether that downside is unbearable.
- SimonPStevens 16y agoI totally agree with your first step (say no). Like you say though, with the range idea I suppose you have to balance the likelihood of getting low offers. Personally, giving a range like this just gives them a range to make their offers in, which will result in a lower offer than my current salary every time (as my salary has always increased, so the current is always the peak). If I'm going to give a range, I'd rather give a range from current+x% - current+y% Of course, that suffers from the same problem as most other ideas, which is they may have been prepared to offer far more, but reduce because they know you'll accept current+x%.